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Benu

New American Restaurant and Asian Restaurant$$$$

SoMa, San Francisco

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Benu

8.1^/10

248

ratings

Ranked #7 for seafood in SoMa
The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine and Travel + Leisure recommend this place
"The tasting menu is now $180 and worth every penny."(24 Tips)
"The lobster soup dumplings were my favorite!!"(8 Tips)
"Execution is perfect, service friendly, wine pairings perfect."(9 Tips)
"Corey Lee’s unique, eloquent, and lavish bridging of..."(5 Tips)

92 Tips and reviews

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tasting menu
good for dates
corey lee
truffle custard
pork belly
foie gras
trendy
yoon ha
good service
restaurants
soup
quiet
great value
birthday cakes
healthy food
milk pudding
bone marrow
cappuccinos
meats
good for special occasions
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EaterMarch 16, 2016
Looking to Korea and to China for inspiration, Lee’s progression of courses might start with a brilliant dish like winter melon soup with caviar and gold leaf, and spin off into another realm. Read more
EaterJanuary 18, 2017
A unique mix of East and West flavors bring Corey Lee's French technique, California produce, and Korean heritage into focus, with dishes like foie gras xiao long bao. Read more
EaterAugust 15, 2014
Bill Addison's review: "A beggar's purse of "treasures from the oak," marrying acorn flour and a filling of Iberico ham from pigs that were fed acorns and truffles that grow under oak trees. Genius!" Read more
JKAugust 6, 2021
Try Lobster xiao long bao with black Vinegar and house-made soy sauce, Barbecued Wolfe Ranch quail with XO sauce and steamed bao black truffle cream & Sonoma Creamery milk pudding with salted caramel
Daniel BouludJuly 30, 2014
The ultimate tasting menu experience. The food here is beautiful. Highlights for me were the thousand year old egg, oyster with pork belly and kimchi, xo sausage and “shark fin soup”.
Travel + LeisureNovember 30, 2012
French Laundry alum Corey Lee creates dishes reflecting both his Asian heritage and personal obsessions. A bowl of wild-salmon roe with puffed buckwheat is one of 18 courses on the $180 tasting menu.
Arthur LiaoJanuary 30, 2016
Flavors are nuanced and may be confusing if you are not familiar with Chinese and Korean cuisine. Execution is perfect, service friendly, wine pairings perfect. Truly brilliant and one of a kind.
Travel + LeisureSeptember 27, 2013
At the clean-lined Benu, in SoMa, every detail is carefully considered, from the porcelain tableware to the Eastern-inspired chef’s tasting menu (a 1,000-year-old quail egg; salt-and-pepper squid).
EpicuriousAugust 3, 2014
Lee's exquisitely designed Asian-inflected tableware frames each dish: his famous lobster xiao long bao; a faux-shark-fin soup poured over black truffle custard; his spin on Peking duck. Read more
Brian StraussMarch 27
Elegance personified. This is not "punch you in the face" overly stuffed experience. It's a perfectly orchestrated and almost "light" 20 -ish courses of "American" food: Asian inspired, sake & wine.
_October 18, 2014
Great service, great food, great wine pairing! Also found out Benu tracks which dishes you have tried so they create something new for you to experience every time!
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Every night they create a 17-course fixed-price menu ($180); a la carte dishes are also offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Read more
EaterJanuary 19, 2017
Corey Lee’s unique, eloquent, and lavish bridging of East and West cuisines is in itself a reason to visit the Bay Area. Read more
EaterJuly 30, 2012
Lee masterfully blends myriad influences into a cuisine that transcends cultural boundaries, and sommelier Yoon Ha's insane pairing suggestions complete the entire experience. [Eater 38 Member]
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
At Benu, a big part of the experience is not only the artistry of Lee but also the sheer genius of wine director Yoon Ha. His pairings are masterful Read more
Odile RoujolJune 26, 2016
3 etoiles michelin. Best chef ! Inspiration corée chine france. Table incontournable à SF
Hamilton GutierrezAugust 29, 2012
Salt and pepper squid or chicharron de calamar aka fried squid rinds!!! I know it sounds odd and it is delicious! It is squid ink and pulverized squid made into fried rinds like chips.
Fiona SJune 13, 2013
The tasting menu: a $180 spiritual experience. Everything was prepared with such creativity, thoughtfulness and consideration; porcelain custom made for the food.
eric bornemannApril 12, 2018
Vastly creative cuisine, love the faux-shark fin soup and lobster soup dumplings. Wine by the glass list is a little dull.
Wilson Favre-DelerueFebruary 2, 2016
Summits of creativity, especially in the signature 10+ starter dishes. Flavours ranging from exceptional to decent. Be prepared for a very large tab not inclusive of wine but with 20% service charge.
Sherry LiMarch 17, 2015
$228 for tasting menu. Wine pairing is flexible based on how much you want to drink.
caroline wAugust 22, 2011
The tasting menu is divine. Try getting a reservation at 6 pm rather than 8 pm (it is a 16-course menu!). Tasting takes about 4 hours and is more enjoyable when it ends at 10 rather than midnight.
EnroutSeptember 24, 2011
The tasting menu is now $180 and worth every penny. The kimchee oyster pork belly, the salmon roe with buckwheat, and the foie grois xiao long bao are fantastic. www.enrout.com
Food & WineApril 5, 2012
Chef Corey Lee combines Asian-inspired flavors to create dishes like his must-try faux shark’s-fin soup. He loves to work with unusual ingredients, like pine needles from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Read more
TripExpertMay 19, 2015
Travel + Leisure, one of our professional reviewers, says, "A bowl of wild-salmon roe with puffed buckwheat conjures taste memories of cold soba." Read more
Visit Napa ValleyNovember 3, 2011
Follow the stars! The Michelin Stars that is and head up to The Napa Valley where you will find 17 Michelin Star Restaurants including 3 star award winning French Laundry and Meadowood Resort.
Susan HobbsAugust 7, 2011
Attention to detail at Benu is fantastic. Food is amazing and the presentation if fabulous. Cosmic music box birthday cake, FTW! Also, save room for the end of meal puzzle box chocolates.
Bloompy BonvivantMarch 12, 2014
Heavenly food, set in a minimalist decor and calming ambience, and an impeccable service.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleNovember 26, 2013
Get the tasting menu for Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and French influences in harmony. Try monkfish liver + pumpkin tofu. – Green Guide Editor
Kate CampecinoMarch 5, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Try the Monkfish Liver Torchon, Apple Relish,Turnip, Ramps, Sorrel, Mustard, Brioche - Item 10 of Benu's tasting menu.The foie gras of the sea served with one of Earth's loviest buttery brioche. Y
Jess CliftonSeptember 18, 2011
The lobster was amazing. As was the beef. Both from the main menu. Portions are small, so plan for two apps, one pasta (to share), two entrees & two desserts.
Yaron Zakai-OrDecember 27, 2015
This is exceptionally great food. The complexity and balanced food is felt in every bite. Nothing falls short of great.
Gnat BrainApril 23, 2018
If your willing to drop a few hundos you’ll be treated to one of the best meals of your life with impeccable service.
Norma RMay 6, 2015
Amazing tasting menu. Highlights were the thousand year old egg, foie gras Xiao long bao, shaved milk
The FeastJune 13, 2011
Everything about this new temple to fine dining is part of a larger theatrical experience, from the custom-designed utensils, plates, and bowls to the intricately-plated food. Read more
SF WeeklyMay 6, 2013
SF Weekly’s Best Of 2012 Winner – Editorial Pick - Best California Cuisine. Twenty years ago, Benu would have been described as an Asian fusion... Read more
StacyApril 25, 2015
The service make you in heaven! I like all the staff there! Food are good but somewhat average for a three stars.
Kate CampecinoMarch 5, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Try the Beef braised in pear, endive, date and watercress - Item 13 of Benu's tasting menu.The beef was cooked "en sous vide" making it very tender but keeping the velvety intramuscular fat. Lusci
Gretchen SchrammMarch 3, 2016
Incredible tasting menu and wine pairing. The lobster soup dumplings were my favorite!!
Sophyan JulioFebruary 24, 2015
Loved the faux sharkskin soup and dessert. Skip the wine pairing if sweeter wine isn't your thing.
SivMay 26, 2011
The tasting menu with the wine pairing was amazing! Definitely a great spot for a classy and fun birthday dinner. Best way to kick off a new year!
natalie l.January 16, 2013
Definitely take a moment to peek in through the kitchen window from the sidewalk outside. Love to see how it all comes together!
@JaumePrimeroAugust 15, 2011
everyone in the SF bay area needs to pay a visit to this restaurant. Receiving rave reviews from friends I know in the restaurant industry. Worth every penny.
Julie TsaiMay 13, 2014
It's a tasting menu- you may not have a choice. But, sea bream was delicious and quail was very tasty.
cyn kMarch 27, 2014
They did the most amazing "pork cooked like ham" that I've ever had. It was like bacon in every bite without the fat.
Fran SuFebruary 21, 2019
Artistic presentation, attentive service. Innovative take on traditional dishes. However, many fusion twists resulted in mediocre taste. Quite disappointing for a 3 Michelin star restaurant... :(
Rod BannerFebruary 7, 2013
The water glasses are totally sublime. Thin and elegant. As with the best in humanity. #thinspo
Eric FloydFebruary 11, 2011
Tasting menu was fantastic, wine list was exceptional with nice selections even in the moderate price range. Great wines by the glass as well!
Mike CJanuary 20, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Hands down my favorite restaurant! $$$$ but it's the ultimate dining experience!
Bradley LeimerFebruary 17, 2013
Wine pairing was exceptional but pricey at $150. Meal was excellent but also recommend Coi as an alternative.

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